Vision
The Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI) vision is to create healthy environments by working collaboratively with stakeholders to prevent disease and address health disparities through policy, systems, and environmental change, focusing on interventions that affect the upstream drivers of health.
Program Background
In 2006, the Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI) was created as a central point of contact for health-related issues throughout the County. HCI provides technical assistance to communities throughout San Bernardino County, recommending policy and environmental strategies to improve residents’ health. The HCI is involved in multiple regional projects, partnering with schools, community- and faith-based organizations, public and private agencies, and city governments. These partnerships are practical tools for improving health in local communities.
Goal
Strengthen and establish relationships with community stakeholders, including but not limited to local governments, community coalitions, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, etc., to foster healthy, safe, and equitable communities, which will ultimately improve the health status of residents throughout San Bernardino County.
What Contributes to a Healthy Community
- Policy
- Places
- People
- Partnerships
- Programs
- Participation
Why?
To ensure that the characteristics of a community support healthy living.
San Bernardino County is the largest county in the contiguous United States, with over two million people living in diverse geographic and civic environments. The health problems facing this region make it imperative that we prioritize the health needs of our residents.
Many modern health problems, including obesity, heart disease and stroke, cancer, asthma, stress, and traffic-related injuries, are impacted by how and where we build our communities. It is for this reason that the planning and health disciplines must work together for healthier future outcomes.
A Healthy City aims to:
- Create a health-supportive environment,
- Achieve a good quality of life,
- Provide basic sanitation and hygiene needs,
- Supply access to health care.
Learn more about currently active Healthy City programs in San Bernardino County:
HCI Quarterly Meetings
Healthy Communities Initiative meetings are held virtually on Zoom and are a great opportunity for local agencies to work together to improve health, equity, and climate resilience in our communities.
In these meetings, participants have the chance to connect with representatives from cities and towns across San Bernardino County and examine the role of local governments & policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change through the lens of an emerging public health issue: climate change.
2025 Meeting Dates and Details:
- Meeting 1: Healthy Communities Framework and the Science Behind Climate Change
- Wednesday, March 19, 2025: 10am – 11:30am PST
- Meeting 2: Climate Change Effects on Health
- Wednesday, June 18, 2025: 10am – 11:30am PST
- Meeting 3: Policy, Systems, Environmental (PSE) Strategies to Combating and Preparing for Climate Change Events
- Wednesday, September 17, 2025: 10am – 11:30am PST
- Meeting 4: Working with Local Organizations
- Thursday, December 11, 2025: 10am – 11:30am PST
Register at https://tinyurl.com/hcimeetings25
Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS)
The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health has partnered with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) to ensure the implementation of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program in San Bernardino County. SRTS is a federal initiative intended to improve the environment and safety around schools for children walking and biking while increasing their physical activity and overall health.
To view information about the schools and districts that are participating in SRTS, visit the SBCTA Safe Routes to School: Phase IV dashboard.
Climate Preparedness and Resiliency
The HCI is dedicated to addressing the challenges of climate change by enhancing climate preparedness and resiliency within the community. We are actively working to develop and support policy solutions, build internal and external capacity, and raise awareness about the health impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable areas like urban heat islands. Through collaboration with community partners and public health programs, we aim to create sustainable strategies that will build community capacity and protect residents from the adverse effects of climate change. More information on our climate-focused initiatives will be available soon.
Updated data resources are coming soon.
